Chapter 16-Weary Zain

"The essay is about Hitler but particularly the autocracies," Yumna said

"Noted," Zayd replied, "Have you received the teacher's version of the essay?"

"She's specified that her version will be used for guidance."

"Here's my version," I said handing them my essay, "Very similar to the teachers…"

Zayd took the paper, "Thank you...I had to submit my version today, and I didn't do it yet."

It was difficult for me at times. I could no longer grasp information quickly and sometimes asked for a second or third explanation. I feel like I've lost much of myself. Much of what I was known for. At times Zayd may not say it, but I could sense the frustration within him. He may not have said that asking for an alternative method or a different approach may have gotten to him, but I could tell that I left him weary and at times frustrated.

"Do you think I made a mistake, I`m taking a while to catch up.."

"You made the right choice. It's just sometimes it's difficult to persuade yourself that you don't need a second opinion to be certain or even all those many exams you've been conditioned to believe was your ticket to validation, the validation you could easily give yourself," Zayd said passing me a piece of his orange

He had been peeling the fruit while listening to me.

"It's getting cold, eat more," he then said, handing me a fully peeled orange

I smiled accepting the fruit.

"You have your first race with the rookies this weekend. Do you think you're ready?"

"Pretty much, I mean to race against you and Zain no…but them I'm sure."

"Don't underestimate new talent, they always shock you."

"I know, but I'm convinced because I've been working really hard for the past few weeks."

"We gonna have to disguise you, don't forget. Yumna and I will get your mask and everything on if you win they will want to see you, but you can blow up the media by syaying mysterious and then challenge Zain and me."

"Sounds like a plan; what about my voice?"

He pulled out a box, "Wrap it around your ear; this little mic part will disguise it for you."

"You guys are really handy…"

"Thank Devin, his all about these types of things."

I smiled, taking the device. Part one of my revenge plan was going to be implemented soon.

"Practice this whole week," Erica said

She looked strange with her slick bun and clean act behaviour.

"What about our essay?"

"We'll get that out of the way first then down to business, " Zayd said, " teacher loved the draft so we'll be using your method to write it."

"Sure thing..." I replied, packing up what they had given me. Taking a seat, and watching them argue over which motorbike model was the best until Erica had to rush back to class. We proceed to complete our essays, and Zain used his celebrity privileges to get us out of school early. He taught me a few tricks about the track, and many of them resembled the way Zain had always gone about his riding. They were very similar, starting to think of it…they were way too alike.

We rode through the afternoon and finally sat down for a water break.

I passed him his water bottle sighing, " I don't know, Zayd, maybe I should academically crush him."

"No one can academically crush Zain…and you of all people know it, and you can only try to do that next year," he said taking a sip of his water, " besides I already signed you up…this isn't the time to back out."

"Aren't you afraid I'll exceed you?"

"I don't care as long as I'm not the only one; you have to surpass the both of us for me not to take it tete-a-tete," he said, placing his helmet back on, " Let's ride around the city; then get you home in time for dinner."

I wasn't looking forward to today's dinner, Zain and his mother might come over. They always have to at least once a month. I hope our mothers notice nothing.

We wrapped up at the field and immediately made our way to the city. He stopped at a small biker store near his place, signalling for me to stop to. We had come here together a while ago to get me tested for my licence.

"Have you got it?" he asked, taking out his wallet

The man handed him the biker licence and took the payment.

"Thank you, I'll pay you back for this."

"Pay me back by winning," he said, looking me dead in the eye

I broke away, turning toward the door where I stood waiting for him. Winning, I was sure of, yet a part of me was afraid. He came out with a few parts.

"You'll need a few of these after the race, we'll fix it in Erica's garage."

I nodded, showing him the time. If we stalled any longer, I was going to be late for dinner. We took of and did the usual drop-off first to Erica and then to my place. I arrived, set the table and prepared the drinks. I needed to do it since I was not given many chores. They arrived an hour later, and my mother had stopped her cooking preparation to greet them. I smiled and hugged Zain's mother and Zain…well, he made it easy for me by choosing to ignore me first.

We sat at the table, dead quiet. The quietness was deafening.

"You two must me growing up; no one picked on their food or stole from the other's plate?" Zains mother said

"Jee," I replied, getting up, "I'm full I`ll see you guys later, I'm currently busy with an essay."

"Zains free now, hang out, aren't you always complaining about him being busy?" My mother retorted in a deathly tone

"Wrong timing.

"I really have to finish the essay."

"I'm sure he'll be of help…"

Silenced by her statement and confident that I didn't need her to give me an essay to write about back chatting, I reluctantly called for Zain. We sat for an hour in complete silence before he said, "How has it been?"

"Doesn't concern you, "I replied, turning toward my paper again

"It does. I haven't heard from you in ages."

"You're a busy man don't expect you to always check up on me."

"What's your problem!" he yelled

"You. You are my problem. Why do you keep coming to me when I have clarified that I want nothing to do with you."

I smashed up the draft paper tossing it into his face. "Nothing I do should concern you."

He stood throwing the paper into the trash can. "Why …"

"You still don't want to apologize ?"

"I'm sorry, I should have cleared your name for you…the way Zayd did in the office that day."

"It's too late now. The damage is done, decisions have been made and you…are number 1 on my revenge list."

"Fine. I'll give you all the time you need to cool off and accept whatever punishment…but because of our history, we will always bump into each other, so please…just play along my mother already knows we're at odds." he opened the door leaving.

I noticed that he was clearly feeling the effects of his busy schedule. And when people are extremely tired, they are very honest, too frank sometimes. Like an intoxicated man with secrets mulling him down…both situations allow them to spit out their internal feelings. Much like Zain just now...